Date:08/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/08/stories/2007090854940700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Commercialisation of education alleged

Staff Reporter

KADAPA: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is following the policy of privatization and commercialisation of education, as done by the Telugu Desam Party during its regime, former AISF district president G. Chandra said on Friday.

Addressing AISF district-level scientific and educational classes at Railway community hall at Nandalur, he alleged globalisation and corporatisation of education in the present Government.

He deplored closure of Government schools and moves to introduce the Foreign Private Universities Bill in the State. Students and youth were not acting responsibly but were being swayed by western culture, he lamented.

He urged students to fight ideologically.

District Congress president A. Amarnath Reddy maintained that Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy accorded priority to education sector and assured to apprise him on problems in the education sector. State Teachers Union vice-president Rajendra Prasad demanded teacher, student ratio be maintained at 1:30 as per Kothari Committee report. He favoured joint agitations by teachers and students for resolving problems in the education sector.

AISF leader Venkataiah hoisted the AISF flag. AITUC district secretary B. Ramaiah, CPI area secretary Narasimhulu, AISF district secretary N. Venkatasiva and leaders Mahesh and Madduleti participated.